Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute

The Helmet Update by Email

Volume 21, #1 - March 18, 2003

MOSA Sports Recalls Some Helmets

CPSC issued the following press release today. The number of helmets is small. MOSA Sports is better known for its Pro-Tec brand of skate-style helmets, and this is a skate-style helmet being recalled.

This helmet has not been sold since September of 2001. CPSC never reveals the date when the problem was first discovered, but we suspect that helmet recalls are taking months from initial problem identification. The moral to the story is that if a helmet seems too thin and too light to pass the CPSC standard it may just flunk, and the buyer may not be notified for a season or more.

CPSC and MOSA Sports have not received any reports of injuries or incidents involving these helmets. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The Five 40 helmets are black, white or red, and have the name "Five 40" printed on the front and back of the helmet. The "V" in the "Five" is much larger that the other letters. A label inside the helmet reads "990803" along with the model name "540." These helmets were manufactured in China.

Sporting good stores nationwide sold these helmets from October 1999 through September 2001 for about $25.

Consumers should stop using these helmets immediately and return them to the store where purchased or MOSA Sports for a refund or free replacement helmet. For more information, consumers should contact MOSA Sports at (800) 804-0211 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.